Myrtle Heuston

MYRTLE HEUSTON

Cedar Rapids

Myrtle Heuston died peacefully May 16, 2014, in Boulder, Colo., surrounded by her family.

She was born in Winneshiek County, Iowa, on June 16, 1922, to Borghild and Magnus Barnes. She grew up

with five siblings and many cousins, aunts and uncles in a close-knit Norwegian community. After graduating from McKinley High School and Coe College in Cedar Rapids, she taught elementary science in the Newton and Cedar Rapids schools.

In 1949, Myrtle married Robert Heuston, a career Naval officer, and accompanied him to Truk Atoll in the South Pacific. During their 18 months of duty, she taught native students English, nutrition and basic science so they could go back to their respective islands and teach others. Later Navy assignments took the family to California, Mississippi, New York, London, Illinois and Washington, D.C., where Robert retired in 1965 as com-mander, USN. Along the way, they had three children, Karen, Greg and Laura.

The family moved to Evanston, Ill., in 1965, when Robert started a second career in hospital engineering. During that time, Myrtle was active in the League of Women Voters and was on the board of the Evanston Environmental Association. She also served several years as chairman of Social Concerns at the Covenant Methodist Church.

In 1984, Myrtle and Robert built a retirement home on their farm in Johnson County, Iowa, where they raised White Park cattle. They moved in 1998 to a condo in Cedar Rapids.

Robert passed away in 2004 and Myrtle moved to Boulder, Colo., in 2007 to be closer to her daughters and their families. She lived at the Frasier Meadows Retirement Community and shared many happy times with her extended family.

Her children are forever grateful for the loving care that surrounded Myrtle at Frasier Meadows.

Myrtle's interests included politics, reading, environmental issues and her Norwegian heritage. She was a talented seamstress and creative in decorating and gardening. She loved being a grandmother. After moving to Frasier, she took up painting and received an award for a watercolor piece.

She continues to inspire her family when we think of her resilience and determination in all her endeavors. She was dearly loved and will be missed by all who knew her.

Survivors include daughter, Karen (Tom) Nesler of Fort Collins, Colo.; son, Greg Heuston (Tricia) of Scottsdale, Ariz.; daughter, Laura (Bob) Koecheler of Boulder, Colo.; grandchildren, Laura (Justin) Fusco, Katie Koecheler, Amy Nesler, Steven Koecheler and Carrie Nesler; great-grandchildren, Juliana and Holden Fusco; sisters, Gladys Johnson and Eleanor (Carl) Reeder; and brothers, Alf (Joan) Barnes and Norman (Donna) Barnes.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert, of 55 years; her sister, Elsie Bond; sister-in-law, Addie Heuston; and her parents, Borghild and Magnus Barnes.

On Saturday, June 14, visitation will begin at 10 a.m., followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m. at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories, Cedar Rapids.

Memorial donations may be given to Frasier Meadows Retirement Community Employee Assistance Fund, 350 Ponca Pl., Boulder, CO 80303, Attn. K. Pollicita, or U.S. Fund for UNICEF.